The Green Bay Packers quarterback was the reigning NFL MVP, coming off a season in which he’d thrown 45 touchdowns against only six interceptions. The year before, he’d led the Packers to the Super Bowl XLV title and been the MVP of that game, too. He was, by all accounts, on top of his game.

And now, arguably the best quarterback in the league was going to have to listen to … the tight ends coach?

Yes, that was how the dominoes fell in February 2012, when offensive coordinator Joe Philbin left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, longtime quarterbacks coach Tom Clements was promoted to offensive coordinator and head coach Mike McCarthy saw fit to put Ben McAdoo in charge of the quarterbacks.

Then McCarthy went out and hired Alex Van Pelt – a former NFL quarterback, who had coached quarterbacks in Buffalo and Tampa Bay, who fit the exact profile of the position coach Rodgers felt he needed – to be the team’s running backs coach.

So you can see why the quarterback was, well, less than thrilled.

And yet, McAdoo didn’t blink. He didn’t kowtow to the MVP, didn’t worry about whether the most popular kid in school was going to like him or be his BFF.

“I’m going to go about it the way I go about everything else – I’m going to show up, put in an honest, hard day’s work, give him the information he needs and count on him to give me back some information [and] communicate with me. And that’s how we’re going to do it. It’s going to be simple,” McAdoo explained in an interview later that offseason. “Like you learn from Day 1 in any business, you have to communicate. And if there’s not communication, there’s no chance to be successful and build a successful relationship.

“I understood where he was coming from. I’m not defensive about that. I didn’t play the position, I’ve never coached the position. I have something to prove. I’m very capable. I’ve never been the pretty girl in the room. I’ve always had to work for what I have. And I like that.”

On Tuesday night, all that work led the 36-year-old McAdoo to the New York Giants, who hired him as their new offensive coordinator. He replaces Kevin Gilbride, who retired after seven years in that role, and he will now take over an offense that finished the 2013 season ranked 28th in the 32-team NFL yards, 28th in scoring, 29th in rushing and 19th in passing. Quarterback Eli Manning threw an NFL-high and franchise-record 27 interceptions.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who interviewed McAdoo on Monday, called him “the best coach for the job” and described McAdoo as a “very, very meticulous coach” who was greatly influenced by McCarthy, with whom he worked in New Orleans (2004) and San Francisco (2005) before serving as the Packers’ tight ends coach for six years.

“Think about what they overcame this year in Green Bay,” Coughlin told Giants.com, referring to Rodgers’ Nov. 4 broken collarbone and the three other quarterbacks – Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn – who played during the eight games Rodgers spent on the sideline.

“He’s a western Pennsylvania guy who has earned everything and he’s earned it the hard way. He’s a smart guy. He’s done it the right way. He’s not a flashy guy. He’s a smart, intelligent guy to work with. He works very, very hard. He’s got the dirt under his fingernails. He’s my kind of guy. He’s got the blue-collar work ethic.

“Here’s what I expect: I think the players will respond to this. We’re going to try to compromise the system with what we have here. However, there will be change. And that change will be very positive and very well-received by our team and our players. And if our players are scrambling around to learn a new system – good. That’s another fire in their rear end.”

In his interview with McAdoo, who also interviewed for the Cleveland Browns’ head-coaching position and the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator job, Coughlin said he came away “very, very impressed by the presentation that he made, in terms of the fundamental details. Whether it is quarterback fundamentals [or] offensive philosophy, I was just very, very impressed with that.

“Whether he was the tight ends or the quarterbacks coach, he has prepared for this type of an interview for a long time. He comes with two notebooks, all the things he’s put together and thought about and when given the opportunity, wanted to present.”

And that brings us back to those first few weeks and months as Rodgers’ position coach, when the quarterback was sure that McCarthy had made a mistake.

Two years later, as it became clear to Rodgers that McAdoo would be moving on to bigger and better things in the days after the Packers’ season-ending playoff loss to San Francisco, the quarterback sought out McAdoo. He had something to say.

He was wrong.

“I told him this actually. I said, ‘When there was an opening as Joe left and Tom (Clements) moved up, I said I thought having a guy who played the position was right for me at that point,’” Rodgers recounted on his weekly radio show on 540 ESPN, 100.5 FM ESPN and ESPNWisconsin.com last week. “But I told Ben this: ‘Ultimately, I need and have always needed a guy who gets me prepared every week, that can give me the opportunities to reach my potential.’

“Ben did that every day the last two seasons for me and the other quarterbacks in the room. It was fun to see his personality continue to come out this year as we became closer and he just allowed himself to relax and be comfortable in those rooms. It helped having a great quarterback room with Seneca and Scott and Matt. It was a lot of fun for me and a lot of fun for us, as well.”

Asked what changed about their relationship, Rodgers replied: “Just spending time together. You can’t help but respect Ben the more time you spend with him because he really cares about his job. He spends a lot of time there. He puts a lot of effort into our reminder stuff. He listens when you talk. He asks good questions. He understands the nature of certain conversations that need to stay in the room [and] which need to be filtered up the chain of command. He’s a guy who wants to learn and takes to heart the things I say or the things he hears from Tom [Clements] and tried to become a better quarterbacks coach every day. And he did.

“I think he’s beginning to really understand scheme and preparation and how to install plays. I think he did a great job the last couple years installing the red zone [plays]. You saw him in front of the room every week and every week he got more comfortable and put more into his presentation, and more of his personality came out. There were jokes and an ability to control the room. Obviously, the people who are interested in him for a head-coaching job haven’t seen that, but to me that’s an important quality of a head coach. The ability to control a room with your speech, (or) with humor when necessary. He proved it every day that he was a very prepared coach. And I’m happy for him getting opportunities.”

I'd like to see the evidence that Rodgers was pissed about this or even a little perturbed or annoyed. If someone has links to article or interviews where Rodgers voiced such opinions I would appreciate it.

I googled all sorts of combinations and could find nothing of the sort.

I'd like to see the evidence that Rodgers was pissed about this or even a little perturbed or annoyed. If someone has links to article or interviews where Rodgers voiced such opinions I would appreciate it.

I googled all sorts of combinations and could find nothing of the sort.

I'd like to see the evidence that Rodgers was pissed about this or even a little perturbed or annoyed. If someone has links to article or interviews where Rodgers voiced such opinions I would appreciate it.

I googled all sorts of combinations and could find nothing of the sort.

These kinds of things don't always make it to the media, and rightfully shouldn't. No reason to air dirty laundry like this and throw people under the bus before they even have a chance. Rodgers was wise not to say anything at the time.

Strange/Ironic/whatever how Packer Offensive Coaches, especially QB Coaches get hired as Head Coaches - when McCarthy is the guy basically running the offense and calling the plays. Never mind for the moment any controversy about that playcalling; The Packer offense has been EXTREMELY successful. I wonder whether Philbin and McAdoo can produce that lightning without Aaron Rodgers slinging it. Andy Reid did all right without Favre, so who knows.

These kinds of things don't always make it to the media, and rightfully shouldn't. No reason to air dirty laundry like this and throw people under the bus before they even have a chance. Rodgers was wise not to say anything at the time.

Exactly but if he didn't say anything how do we know it happened. Has Rodgers said something recently along the lines of "initially I wasn't real happy about it" I did find two other recent references, one was a blog and the other another article but interestingly both were also written by Wilde. I really can't see Rodgers, or really any other athlete for that matter, making remarks like that.

If it was a recent comment the article is misleading as Wilde makes it sound like he made his feelings know when it happened. At least it sounded like that to me.

Strange/Ironic/whatever how Packer Offensive Coaches, especially QB Coaches get hired as Head Coaches - when McCarthy is the guy basically running the offense and calling the plays. Never mind for the moment any controversy about that playcalling; The Packer offense has been EXTREMELY successful. I wonder whether Philbin and McAdoo can produce that lightning without Aaron Rodgers slinging it. Andy Reid did all right without Favre, so who knows.

I think Philbin can be a success in Miami. If they can put the circus of the bully and the baby to rest and get focused again they could give New England a run for their money. I think Tannehill will be a very good QB and give Wallace another year and I think their offense will be strong. They are definitely a team on the rise. The Giants, maybe not so much.

Exactly but if he didn't say anything how do we know it happened. Has Rodgers said something recently along the lines of "initially I wasn't real happy about it" I did find two other recent references, one was a blog and the other another article but interestingly both were also written by Wilde. I really can't see Rodgers, or really any other athlete for that matter, making remarks like that.

If it was a recent comment the article is misleading as Wilde makes it sound like he made his feelings know when it happened. At least it sounded like that to me.

You really don't think Aaron Rodgers was pissed that a person who never played nor coached QB's before was his new position coach after blatantly stating that is precisely what he wanted?

You really think Jason Wilde who has a weekly radio show during the season is making this up?

You really think it's that far fetched that Mr. Sensitive was pissed off about it?

I would put money down that Jason sent Aaron an iMessage (or received permission during the last Tuesday with Aaron) saying he was going to make his being pissed off known publicly. Why? If anything it goes to show Aaron can adapt. It shows Ben was able to WIN OVER A PISSED OFF MVP QB.

I've been concerned this season that Aaron's ego was getting out of control in a way similar to that of Favre. It wasn't just that he was getting into it with Mike on the sideline, but there were little tidbits here and there in the media about him not being happy or having disagreements with the playbooks and whatnot.

I've been concerned this season that Aaron's ego was getting out of control in a way similar to that of Favre. It wasn't just that he was getting into it with Mike on the sideline, but there were little tidbits here and there in the media about him not being happy or having disagreements with the playbooks and whatnot.

I don't remember any tidbits about disagreements or unhappiness with the playbooks. Do you have a link to any of them?

You really don't think Aaron Rodgers was pissed that a person who never played nor coached QB's before was his new position coach after blatantly stating that is precisely what he wanted?

You really think Jason Wilde who has a weekly radio show during the season is making this up?

You really think it's that far fetched that Mr. Sensitive was pissed off about it?

I would put money down that Jason sent Aaron an iMessage (or received permission during the last Tuesday with Aaron) saying he was going to make his being pissed off known publicly. Why? If anything it goes to show Aaron can adapt. It shows Ben was able to WIN OVER A PISSED OFF MVP QB.

Oh I believe he may have been pissed off. I believe he has lots of issues over stuff like that like that. He is just very good at disguising them. Just like Favre was.

I just think that Wilde saying he was pissed off without any supporting comments is poor form. Without Rodgers supporting it it is still just Wilde making a comment. Even if Rodgers said go ahead and print it Wilde gave us no indication that Rodgers said he could print it. All he would have had to do is say something on the order of "Aaron admitted he was not very happy..." he is not going to make that up and it would have given his comments some legitimacy.

I've been concerned this season that Aaron's ego was getting out of control in a way similar to that of Favre. It wasn't just that he was getting into it with Mike on the sideline, but there were little tidbits here and there in the media about him not being happy or having disagreements with the playbooks and whatnot.

I know I'll get killed for this but personally I think Rodgers has a much bigger ego than Favre did.

Oh I believe he may have been pissed off. I believe he has lots of issues over stuff like that like that. He is just very good at disguising them. Just like Favre was.

I just think that Wilde saying he was pissed off without any supporting comments is poor form. Without Rodgers supporting it it is still just Wilde making a comment. Even if Rodgers said go ahead and print it Wilde gave us no indication that Rodgers said he could print it. All he would have had to do is say something on the order of "Aaron admitted he was not very happy..." he is not going to make that up and it would have given his comments some legitimacy.

What do you want from him? Video proof? Audio proof? A notarized statement? This is Jason Wilde, not some internet hack. The guy has a weekly 30-60 minute face to face show during the season with Aaron Rodgers. Think about that and you'll realize how silly you are for questioning Rodgers being pissed off.

What do you want from him? Video proof? Audio proof? A notarized statement? This is Jason Wilde, not some internet hack. The guy has a weekly 30-60 minute face to face show during the season with Aaron Rodgers. Think about that and you'll realize how silly you are for questioning Rodgers being pissed off.

Apparently you missed this in my post Oh I believe he may have been pissed off. but that doesn't surprise me.

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